Enzo Maresca has only coach one full senior season, so there was never going to be a whole group of Chelsea players who have worked with him extensively before.
He brought in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester, plus Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Tosin Adarabioyo had brief crossovers with him in the Man City academy. But by and large, this is a fresh team he has to get his ideas across to.
Levi Colwill has at least experienced something similar in his season on loan at Brighton working with the ultra intense and detailed press and passing game of Roberto De Zerbi.
Perhaps that’s why the club picked him out for an interview giving some insight on what is going on in training with the new boss.
Behind the scenes as Maresca ramps up to the news season
“The gaffer plays similar to a chess game. Every piece needs to be in the right place to set up a move, set up a goal. It’s a lot more demanding mentally,” Colwill explained.
This will be familiar to him, but a stark contrast to last season’s more “vibes” approach under Mauricio Pochettino.
“I always need to be aware of where I am on the pitch and how I can help the team move up the pitch. That is the main thing.
“The level of concentration is crazy compared to other managers, I would say. I enjoy it and it can tap into my strengths. He’s been really good with me personally and everyone in the team. I’m really understanding the way he wants to play very fast.”
There are of course going to be some teething problems along the way, but “play very fast” is a philosophy that any football fan can get behind. If Maresca can get that going at Stamford Bridge, he will become very popular, very fast.
